Importance of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

What is Social Emotional Learning?

Social Emotional Learning also known as SEL is the development of interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and self-control. As school is usually focused on grades and academics, SEL prepares students to interact in the real world socially, at work, and even through personal development. The Committee for Children found through research that those who had a social emotional learning curriculum were 42% less likely to be involved in physical aggression as well as a 13% increase in academic achievement. The impact that SEL has on students and adults greatly increases their chances of having better critical thinking skills and finding motivation to pursue educational and working journeys in the future.

The Impact of SEL

SEL has a great impact on more than just the social aspect of health. It allows for better relationships between teachers, faculty, and peers, as well as forms a sense of belongingness and inclusivity. Many youth and adolescents today lack the proper social skills to interact with peers in person and even online. As technology has taken over, it has become easier to speak through a screen rather than face to face, making it challenging for students to make friends or participate in activities with one another. SEL provides the opportunity to build those social skills and become more comfortable coping with challenges or conflicts that may arise. When thinking about the complexity of health and all the aspects to it, SEL aids in both social health and emotional health, which in turn improves mental health as well.

SEL on at Risk Students

At risk students who are performing poorly academically tend to dislike school, have an increase in anxiety and stress in social situations, and find motivation hard to come by. In regards to academic achievement it has been found that SEL programs 1) increased classroom behavior 2) increased the ability to manage stress and depression and 3) create better attitudes with themselves, others, and school. SEL gives at-risk students the ability to change their academics around into a more positive experience in addition to educating them on how to overcome obstacles and develop empathy for others.

References

Long-Term Benefits of Social- Emotional Learning for At-Risk Students: Resilient Educator. ResilientEducator. (2019, June 3). https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/sel-at-risk-students/.

What is Social-Emotional Learning?. Committee for Children. (2023, May 25). https://www.cfchildren.org/what-is-social-emotional-learning/#:~:text=Social%2Demotional%20learning%20(SEL),academically%2C%20professionally%2C%20and%20socially